Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated
on Goodreads (1,513)
What’s inside...
Bestselling Caldecott Honor artist Lane Smith and legendary author Florence Parry Heide have teamed up to create an unforgettable princess sure to charm and delight young readers. Princess Hyacinth has a problem: she floats. And so the king and queen have pebbles sewn into the tops of her socks, and force her to wear a crown encrusted with the heaviest jewels in the kingdom to keep her earthbound. But one day, Hyacinth comes across a balloon man and decides to take off all her princess clothes, grab a balloon, and float free. Hooray! Alas, when the balloon man lets go of the string . . . off she goes. Luckily, there is a kite and a boy named Boy to save her.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it feels like to float like Princess Hyacinth?
Why do you think the Princess wants to play like other children?
How did Princess Hyacinth feel about her floating? How can you tell?
What would you do if you were friends with someone like Princess Hyacinth?
How do you think the story would change if the Princess couldn't float anymore?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and express their own feelings about floating, enhancing empathy and creative thinking.
Discuss the challenges Princess Hyacinth faces and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter, promoting problem-solving skills.
Use the book's illustrations to engage younger children, asking them to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Encourage your child to come up with an alternative ending to the story, which fosters critical thinking and creativity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: Princess Hyacinth's unique ability to float sets her apart, teaching readers to celebrate distinctive traits.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate what makes them unique and understand that differences contribute to everyone's special identity.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The princess and her friend Boy work together to solve the problem of her floating, showcasing collaboration and creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to think outside the box and collaborate with others to solve daily challenges.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: The friendship between Princess Hyacinth and Boy highlights how true friends support and help each other regardless of the circumstances.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by building supportive friendships and helping friends in need.
Example Lesson: Overcoming limitations
Explanation: Despite her floating condition, Princess Hyacinth finds ways to manage and enjoy her life, illustrating resilience and adaptability.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to adapt to their own challenges and to focus on what they can achieve rather than their limitations.
Example Lesson: Joy in discovery
Explanation: Princess Hyacinth's adventures bring her joy and satisfaction, emphasizing the value of exploring new experiences.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore new activities and learn from each new experience, finding joy in the journey of discovery.